freda, great thread! Thanks for the links. I love Bella's works; some would make beautiful tattoos.

maeve, I am so glad you are here and have shared more with us. I admire you, so much, for what you and TL are doing.

For almost seven years my jewellery making supplies were packed away. We were living with our daughter in a tiny house; then moved; then, our daughter and new grandson moved in with us; then I became ill and had heart surgery. So, I wasn't feeling very creative for a long time. What creativity I had went into helping my daughter with raising my grandson, the Light of my life. Five years after he was born, 3.5 years after surgery, thanks to a Mudcat friend, I have discovered that I CAN still come up with jewellery designs and make things that my clients rave over. I didn't think I had the ability to create, at all, esp. jewellery. I knew I could still write a bit from being on Mudcat and because I wrote a novel two years ago, but the jewellery was just gone. I had no inspiration and could not *hear* the stones as I tried different combos of putting them together. (They always "let me know" if they liked being together.)

Then, earlier this year, when talking with my friend, she mentioned some beads she'd had for years and wished she could find someone who could put together a couple of necklaces for her. I spoke up, not promising anything. She sent me the beads and I started.

It has taken me quite awhile and I am thankful she was so patient, never complaining. I managed to put together three necklaces and she has been quite pleased. I've just spent the last half hour trying to upload photos of them. For some reason none of the sites I am going to are working right. So, once I've figured that out, I'll post some links. Anyway, I am back, in some respects and it feels good!